Wheel-finishing machine



Patented my 27, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

gnaw 4% 3 W d A a n 0 M H\ M n j l R MUN .rJJd m 3 n I l (4 m 7 a O Q f\ I IN V! I o F M. DAVIS. WHEEL nmsmuc MACHINE. APPLICATION HLED P1222. I917.- v 1,304,547. Patented Ma an, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W Mum/LL 0A v/a M. DAVIS. vWHEEL FINISHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, I91]- I Patenied May 27, 919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- I Mm I MERRILL 0,4 v/s M. DAVIS. WHEEL FINISHING MACHINE. APPLICATION mwszrnzz. 1911.v

1,304,547. Patented May 27,1919.

4 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- WITNESSES.- IN EN TOR.

7n M W Z%K A TTOR MERRILL DAVIS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

WHEEL-FINISHING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2'7, 1919..

Application filed. September 22. 1917. Serial No. 192.696.

To all whom it may com-cm:

Be it known that I, MERRILL DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vheel Finishing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wheel finishing machines and processes.

My invention relates particularly to a. machine for finishing the crowns or the crotches between the spokes.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved machine of this type which is of large capacity.

Second, to provide a machine of this type by means of which the wheels are uniformly finished.

Third, to provide an improved machine of this type which may be operated by an unskilled workman, that is, one which does not require a skilled mechanic in its operation.

Fourth, to provide an improved process for finishing wheels.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in whichz Figure I is a detail plan view of a structure embodying the features of my inven; tion, parts of the wheel and parts of the machine being omitted or broken away in order to better disclose the structural details of the parts shown.

Fig. II is a detail view partially in vertical central section, the left half of the machine being shown in retracted position and the right half in actuated position.

Fig. III is adetail plan view of the fixed wheel positioning or locating clamp. I

Fig. IV is a detail side elevation of the fixed wheel positioning clamp of Fig. III.

Fig. V is a detail plan view of one of the floating wheel positioning clamps or units.

Fig. VI is a detail side elevation thereof.

.clamp for the wheel 8.

Fig. VII is a side elevation of one of the former head slides and its supporting ways. Fig. VIII is a detail view, partially in vertical section, showing details of one of the former heads, former blocks and its supporting and actuating means.

Fig. IX is a detail plan view'of one of the former heads and its supporting and actuating means in normal or central position. Fig. X is a similar detail plan view of the former head shown in one actuated position by full lines and in another by'dotted lines. Fig. XI is a detail plan View, showing the former head completely actuated. Fig. XII is a detail plan view of a modified form of my invention. 7

Fig. XIII is a detail view partially in section on the radial line of one of the former members. Fig. XIV is a detail conventional View 0 a sanding device.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little. arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the main frame of the structure illustrated comprises a base 7 1 having uprights or posts 2 thereon upon which are mounted the superstructure 3 having a central column 4 supporting at its upper end an annular tank or reservo r 5 for heating fluid. Barium chlorid is quite V support the fiXed locating or positioning This positioning clamp or locating jaw comprises a pair of crossed clamp members 9 mounted upon the pivot 10 in a crossed relation .and provided with projecting spoke engaging fingers 11 at their outer ends. 7

A bowed spring 12 is passed about the pivot with its arms engaging adjacent ends of the clamp members so that they are yieldingly closed on the .spoke, as at 18. The other clamping members are carried by links 14 mounted on pivots 15 on the arms 7 so that they are free to adjust themselves to such irregularities in the spacing of the spokes as ordinarily occur in the manufac ture of wheels. The fingers project above the spokes and constitute guides for the former heads, as will appear as the description proceeds.

A centering member 16 is provided for the wheel, the centering member being mounted on the upper end of the actuating shaft 17 to support it in bearings 18 and 19 so that it is central of the machine. The actuating lever 20 is provided with a tongue 21 adapted to engage a groove 22 in the upper end of the spindle, this actuating lever being removable to ermit the placing and removal of the wheel. a

I provide a reciprocating carriage 23, preferably spider-like in structure and having a central actuating cylinder 24, coacting with a relatively fixed plunger 25 on the frame. The numeral 26 indicates the connection to a source of fiuid supply for actuating the carriage. On the arms of this carriage I mount rock shafts 27.

The rock shafts are adapted to reciprocate vertically through bearings .28 on the main frame. The actuating shaft 17 is provided with a plurality of radial arms 29, while the rock shafts are provided with arms 30. The arms of the rock shafts are connected with the arms of the actuating shaft by means of links or connecting rods 31, so that when the actuating shaft is rotated all of the rock shafts are actuated.

The rock shafts 27 carry the annular frame 32, collars 33 being secured to the rock shafts below this frame. This frame carries a series of former head slide ways 34, which are supported in a radial relation by means of theposts or uprights 35. The former slides 36 in the structure illustrated, are in the form of blocks grooved at their edges to receive the ways.

The former heads 37 are A-shaped, and mounted on the arms 38 carried by spindles 39 disposed vertically through the slides 36. On the lower ends of the spindles are crossheads or rocker members 40 disposed in an opposed coacting relation to the rocker members 41 on the upper ends of the rock shafts 27. Coiled springs 42 are disposed between the coacting pairs of rocker members.

With this connection, when the rock shafts are actuated the former heads are swung against the fingers 11 at the side toward which they are actuated, and continued movement carries the former block 43 into the crown or crotch of the spokes. A reverse movement of the actuating lever carries the former head against the opposite pair of fingers, as shown in Fig. X, and into the crown.

The stop members 44 are threaded into the former slides to reciprocate through the cross pieces 45 on the outer ends of the ways 34. These stop members are adjustable. Coiled springs 46 are arranged on these stops to return the former heads to their initial positions.

The former blocks 47 are mounted on the former heads in a downwardly offset relation so that when the carriage is in its retracted position, as shown atthe left of Fig. II, the former blocks are lowered into the heating fluid.

I preferably connect a suction pipe 48 to the chamber 49 below the tank so that the smoke and products of the burning may be drawn through the central opening 50 of the tank to the suction pipe.

In the modification shown in Figs. XII and XIII the former members 51 are carried by the radially disposed slides These former blocks are provided with electrical heating elements The slides 52 are supported in bearing members '54 and 55 connected by the pairs of brackets 56, the brackets, for convenience in manu-.

facture, being secured to the bearing members by the pins 57. he locating clamp or jaw members 9 are carried by the links 58 pivoted at 59 on the bracket members 56, the jaw members being carried by the pivots 60.

With the parts thus arranged, the wheel and former members are properly located or positioned substantially as in the structure before described. The former slides 52 are actuated from the rock shaft 61 havin arms 62 thereon connected by the links 63 to the outer ends of the slides. The means for actuating the rock shafts are not illustrated but may be substantially that shown and described. The necessity for raising and lowering the former members is not present in this embodiment.

The burning or charring of the wood by the former members leaves it in such condition that the wheel may be readily finished by a sand blast.

In Fig. XIV I illustrate conventionally a casing 64 adapted to receive a wheel and a sand blast nozzle 65 positioned so as to direct the blast into the burned or charred throats of the wheel. It is my experience that wheels may be in this manner very quickly finished, as the charred wood is quickly reduced and removed, leaving a smooth surface.

My improved machine is of large capacity and simple and easy to operate. A further advantage is that the crown of the wheels is'uniformly finished.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications and adaptations of my improvements which I contemplate and which might be, under certain conditions, deemed preferable, as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired. Various of the parts are shown mainly in conventional form, as the structural details thereof are not important.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a heating fluid tank having radially projecting arms thereon, an actuating shaft disposed vertically and centrally to project above said tank, a wheel centering member on said shaft, spoke clamp supporting links mounted on said radially projecting arms, pairs of crossed spoke clamp members mounted on said links and having upwardly projecting spoke engaging fingers constituting former head guides, one pair of spoke clamp members being mounted directly upon one of said arms, springs for closing said clamp member, a vertically reciprocating carriage, rock shafts mounted on said carriage to reciprocate through bearings on said frame, arms on said'actuating shaft, arms splined to said rock shafts, links connecting said actuating and rock shaft arms, an annular frame mounted on said rock shafts to reciprocate therewith, radially disposed ways carried by said reciprocat-' ing frame, former slides disposed in said ways, A-shaped former heads, former blocks mounted on said heads in a downwardly offset relation so that the blocks may be-lowered into said tank, supporting arms for said former heads, vertically disposed spindles therefor mounted on said former slides, rocker members mounted in an opposed coacting: relation on said rock shafts and spin- 'dles, springs interposed between said coact ing rocker members, adjustable stops for limiting the inward movement to said formerslides, and springs for returning said slides to their initial positions.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame, a heating fluid tank, an actuating shaft disposed to project above said tank, awheel centering member on said shaft, pairs of crossed spoke clamp members having upwardly projecting spoke engaging fingers constituting former head guides, one pair of said clamp members being mounted on a fixed support and the others on pivoted supports, springs for said clamp members, a: reciprocating carriage, rock shafts carried thereby, arms on said actuating shaft, arms splined to said rock shafts, llnks connecting said actuating and rock shaft arms, radially disposed ways carried by said carriage, former slides disposed in said ways, A-shaped former heads, former blocks mounted on said heads in a downspindles therefor mounted on said former slides, rocker members mounted in an opposcd coacting relation on said rock shafts and spindles, springs interposed between said coac-ting rocker members, adjustable stops for limiting the inward movement of said former slides, and springs for returning said slides to their initial positions.

In a structure of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a heating fluid tank, an actuating shaft disposed centrally to project above said tank, a wheel centering member on said shaft, pairs of crossed spoke clamp members having upwardly projectin spoke engaging fingers, one pair of spo (e clamp members being mounted on a relatively fixed support'and the others on swinging supports, closing springs for said clamp members, a reciprocating carriage, aplurality of rock shaftsmounted on said carriage, arms-on said actuating shaft, arms splined to said rock shafts, links connecting said actuating and rock shaft arms, an annular frame mounted on said rock shafts to reciprocate therewith, radially disposed ways carried by saidreciprocating frame, former slides disposed in said ways, former blocks carried by said slides so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, and operating connections for said slides and rock shafts.

In a structure of the class described,

thecombination of a main frame, a'heating fluid tank, a wheel centering member, on said shaft, pairs of crossed spoke clamp members having upwardly projecting spoke engaging fingers, one pair of's'poke clamp members being mounted on a relatively fixed support and the. others on swinging supports, closing springs for said clamp members, a reciprocating carriage, a plurality of rock shafts mounted on said carriage, actuating" means for said rock shafts, arms splined to said. rock shafts, links connecting said actuating and rock shaft'arms, an, annular frame mounted on said rock shafts to reciprocate therewith, radially disposed Ways carried by said reciprocating frame, former slides disposed in said ways, former blocks carried bysaid slides so that the blocks may be lowered'into said tank, and operating connections for said slides and rockshafts. Y

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a heating fluid tank, an actuating shaft disposed centrally to project above said tank, pairs of crossed spoke clamp members having vupwardly projecting spoke engaging fingers, one pair of spoke clamp members being mounted on a relatively fixed support and the others on swinging supports, closing springs for said clamp members, a reci rocating carriage, a plurality of rock sha s mounted on said carriage, arms on said actuating shaft, arms splined to said rock shafts, links connecting said actuating and rock shaft arms, an annular frame mounted on said rock shaft to reciprocate therewith, radially disposed ways carried by said reciprocating frame, former slides disposed in said ways, former blocks carried by said slides so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, and operating connections for said slides and rock shafts.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame, a heating fluid tank, means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, rock shafts carried thereby, actuating means for said rock shafts,

. radially disposed ways carried by said carriage, former slides disposed in said ways, A-shaped former heads, spoke engaging members constituting guides for said former heads, former blocks mounted on said heads in a downwardly oflset relation so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, supporting arms for said former heads, vertically disposed spindles therefor moimted on said former slides, rocker members mounted in an opposed coacting relation on said rock shafts and spindles, springs interposed between said coacting rocker members, adjustable stops for limitin the inward movement of said former slides, and springs for returning said slides to their initial positions.

7. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of a-frame, a heating fluid tank, means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, rock shafts carried thereby, actuating means for said rock shafts, radially disposed ways carried by said carriage, former slides disposed in said ways, A-shaped former heads, spoke engaging members constituting guides for saidformer heads, former blocks mounted on said heads in a downwardly offset relation so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, supporting arms for said former heads, and means for swinging said arms and actuating said slides.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a heating fluid tank, pairs of crossed spoke clamp members having upwardly projecting spoke engaging fingers, one pair of spoke clamp members being mounted on a relatively fixed support and the others on swinging supports, closing springs for said clamp members, a reciprocating carriage, a plurality of rock shafts carried by said carriage, means for actuating said rock shafts, a frame mounted on said rock shafts to reciprocate therewith,

radially disposed ways carried by said reciprocating frame, former slides disposed in said ways, former blocks carried by said slides so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, and operating connections for said slides and rock shafts.

9. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of means for supporting a wheel, radially disposed ways, former slides disposed in said ways, A-shaped former heads, spoke engaging members constituting guides for said former heads, former blocks mounted on said heads, supporting arms for said former heads pivotally mounted on said slides, means for swinging said arms and actuating said slides, adjustable stops for limiting the inward movement of said former slides, and springs for returning said slides to their initial positions.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, radially disposed ways, former slides disposed in said ways, A-shapcd former heads, spoke engaging members constituting guides for said former heads, former blocks mounted on said heads, supporting arms said former heads pivotally mounted on said slides, and means for swinging said arms and actuating said slides.

11. In a. structure of the class described, the combination of a heating fluid tank, means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, a plurality of rock shafts carried by said carriage, means for actuating said rock shafts, a frame mounted on said rock shafts to reciprocate therewith, radially disposed ways carried by said frame, former slides disposed in said ways, former blocks carried by said slides so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, and operating connections for said slides and rock shafts.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, a plurality of rock shafts carried by said carriage, means for actuating said rock shafts, a frame mounted on said rock shafts to reciprocate therewith, radially disposed Ways carried by said frame, former slides dis posed in said ways, former blocks carried by said slides, and operating connections for said slides and rock shafts.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, radially reciprocating former slides, formers, supporting arms for said formers pivotally mounted on said slides, means for swinging said arms and actuating said slides, adjustable stops for limiting the inward movement of said former slides, and springs for returning said slides to their initial positions.

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting wheel, radially reciprocating former slides, formers, supporting arms for said formers pivotally mounted on said slides, spoke engaging members constituting former guides, adjustable stops for limiting the inward movement of said former slides.

15. In a structure of the class described,

'the combination of means for supporting a wheel, radially reciprocating former slides, formers, supporting arms for said formers pivotally mounted on said slides, means for swinging said arms and actuating said slides, and springs for returning said slides to their initial positions.

16. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, radially reciprocating former slides, formers, supporting arms for said formers pivotally mounted on said slides, means for swinging said arms and actuating said slides, spoke engaging members constituting former ides.

17. T e combination with means for supporting a wheel, of a spoke notch finishing machine comprising a reciprocating former slide, a former, a supporting arm for said former pivotally mounted on said slide, means for swinging said arm and actuating said slide, an adjustable stop for limiting the inward movement of said former slide, and a spring for returning said slide to its initial positions.

18. The combination with means for supporting a wheel, of a smoke notch finishing machine comprising a reciprocating former slide, a former, a supporting arm for said former pivotally mounted on said slide, and means for swinging said arm and actuating said slide.

19. The combination with means for supporting a wheel, of a spoke notch finishing machine comprising a reciprocating former slide, a former, spoke engaging members constituting guides for said former, a supporting arm for said former pivotally mounted on said slide, and means for swinging said arm and actuating said slide.

20. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a heating fluid tank, means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, radially disposed ways carried by said carriage, former slides disposed in said ways, former blocks mounted on said slides so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, and means for actuating said slides.

21. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a heating fluid tank, means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, former members carried by said carriage, former blocks mounted on said former members so that the blocks may be lowered into said tank, and means for simultaneously actuating said former members when the carriage is in its elevated position.

0'5 said former member 22. Ina structure of the class described,

the combination of a heating fluid tank, means for supporting a wheel, a reciprocating carriage, a former member carried by said carriage, a former block mounted on so that the block may be lowered into said tank, and means for actuating said former member when the carriage is in its elevated position.

In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, a tank for heating fluid disposed below the Wheel to be operated upon, formers mounted for reciprocatory and swinging movement, spoke engaging members consti tuting guides for said formers, means for simultaneously actuating said formers where by they are first swung against said guides and then moved inwardly, adjustable stops for said formers, and means for raising and lowering said formers to and from the heating fluid.

24. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, a tank for heating fluid disposed below the wheel to be operated upon, formers mounted for reciprocatory and swinging movement, spoke engaging members constituting guides for said formers, means for simultaneously actuating said formers whereby they are first swung against said guides and then moved inwardly, and means for raising and lowering said formers to and from the heating fluid. I

25. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, a tank for heating fluid disposed below the wheel to be operated upon, formers, means for simultaneously actuating said formers, adjustable stops for said formers, and means for raising and lowering said formers to and from the heating fluid.

26. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, a tank for heating fluid disposed below the wheel to be operated upon, formers, means for simultaneously actuating said formers, and means for raising and lowering said formers to and from the heating fluid.

27. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a former mounted for reciprocatory and swinging movement, spoke engaging members constituting guides for said formers, and means for swinging said former in either direction and reciprocating the same. 7

.28. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a plurality of radi-f ally reciprocating former members, heating means therefor, means for locating and supporting the wheel to be finished relative to said members, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said members.

29. In a structure of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a wheel, a plurality of reciprocating members; heating means therefor, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said members to act in different spoke notches.

30. In a structure of the class described, the combination of an adjustable former member, heating means therefor, and means for supporting the Wheel to be finished in proper relation to said former member.

31. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a plurality of radiall disposed former members, means for locating and supporting a wheel relative thereto, means for heating said former members, and means for reciprocating said former mem- 10 bers.

32. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of means for sumporting the Wheel, former members mounted for adjustment, heating means therefor, and means for actuating said former members.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

MERRILL DAVIS. [1 sl Witnesses:

MARGARET L. GLASGOW, MARTHA J. GREGORY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0'. 

